12 BONES BREWING TAPROOM

2350 Hendersonville Rd, Arden

The iconic 12 Bones BBQ opened up its taproom and event space in 2019, providing a cool backdrop for a variety of gatherings and showcasing two of Asheville’s favorite things: BBQ and beer.

The large Taproom space can accommodate 75 for seated events—with a 15-barrel brewhouse on display—while a dedicated flex space can be closed off for private events and hosts up to 45. The property also has outdoor seating and allows live music. The full 12 Bones menu is available to guests, including pulled pork and chicken, racks of ribs and homemade sides like corn pudding and jalapeño cheese grits—and a catering manager can help customize the menu.

Rental rates start at $200 per hour for a minimum of three hours.

THE ARGOT ROOM AT JARGON

717 Haywood Rd, West Asheville

The Argot Room is an intimate and funky chic space opened by West Asheville’s beloved Jargon restaurant, which is known for its dynamic New American cuisine showcasing seasonal and local ingredients.

The space can host 45 guests, making it ideal for small receptions, rehearsal dinners and birthday parties, and is instantly welcoming with cool decor and eve small sitting areas. Event menus will closely replicate the restaurant’s offerings, which change with the seasons, and guests can work with The Argot Room’s dedicated event coordinator to plan the details.

The rental rate is $500, and catered dinners range from $40 to $75 per person with beverages charged separately.

THE BARREL HOUSE AT WICKED WEED

147 Coxe Ave, South Slope Asheville

Offering one of the largest event spaces in downtown Asheville— accommodating up to 125 for seated dinners and up to 250 for cocktail receptions—The Barrel House was once the barrel aging room for the popular Wicked Weed Brewing and still holds its R&D and pilot brewing system.

The Barrel Room is often a venue for Asheville’s signature food festival, Chow Chow, and hosts several other events throughout the year, from birthday parties to wedding receptions. They offer a BBQ package for just $75 per person, as well as a customized four-course dinner for $100 and, of course, local beers, wine and liquor.

Prices vary depending on the date, but typically range from $2,500 to $8,500.

CULTURA

147 Coxe Ave, South Slope Asheville

Cultura is a James Beard Award–nominated restaurant in trendy South Slope—with a stunning interior of warm lighting, rich woods, live plants and local artwork—and is available for private events all week.

The space can accommodate 65 people for a seated meal, making it a great option for rehearsal dinners, birthday parties and corporate events. The food is a highlight as Cultura offers a rotating menu of unique dishes featuring local and seasonal ingredients; since Cultura is owned by Wicked Weed Brewing, the beverage offerings include a lot of great craft beers, cocktails, as well as the company’s line of Vidl Wines.

Rental fees start at $1,500, with a food and beverage minimum starting at $5,000.

THE DAPHNE ROOM BY TWISTED LAUREL

130 College St, Downtown Asheville

Located above the Twisted Laurel’s downtown restaurant, The Daphne Room has the charming appeal of an industrial chic loft, with large windows overlooking Pack Square Park, and warm woods and exposed brick throughout the interior.

The in-house catering team offers customizable menus such as sandwich platters for business meetings, as well as charcuterie boards, pasta bars, and carving stations for more formal gatherings, although guests are also welcome to use third-party food vendors. An expansive list of wine, beer, and spirits is available. The Daphne Room is within walking distance of several downtown hotels, and there’s plenty of street parking and garages in the vicinity.

Rates vary depending on day and season but typically range between $2,500 to $10,000. 

THE HIDEAWAY BY CELINE & CO. CATERING

49 Broadway St, Downtown Asheville

Located in the heart of downtown, The Hideaway is a large open space in a historic building with lots of natural light, vintage tin ceilings and hardwood floors.

The space can host up to 250 people and can also be adjusted for smaller events. Guests can customize the room to their preference, making it a chic canvas for almost any type of dynamic gathering. On-site catering by Celine & Co. provides a wide range of options, including hors d’oeuvres, buffets and plated courses, and guests are invited to check the website for sample menus. Live music is welcomed.

Rental rates range from $800 to $3,500 for a five-hour event, depending on time of year and day of the week.

THE HORSE SHOE FARM

155 Horse Shoe Farm Dr, Hendersonville

This 85-acre farm resort, located 30 minutes from downtown Asheville, is a one-of-a-kind gem with four different venues on the property—from the 6,000-square-foot Sunset Barn to the 500-square-foot Sanctuary—and countless outdoor options.

It’s a go-to destination for large events incorporating up to 200 guests, including weddings, trade shows, corporate events and wellness retreats, as well as more intimate gatherings for family and friends. Either way, the backdrop is a stunning collection of grassy hills dotted with gardens and cottages, all within view of the French Broad River. The on-site Silo Cookhouse offers an impressive catering menu, with everything from casual breakfasts to fine-dining dinners.

Rental rates start at $300 per day, with separate rates for catering and bar services.

PACK’S TAVERN SPECIAL EVENTS

20 S Spruce St, Downtown Asheville

Located in the historic Hayes & Hopson building on Pack Square Park (with a fascinating background as an illegal distribution point for booze during Prohibition), Pack’s Tavern offers three unique spaces for special events—including its outdoor Parkside Patio, which can accommodate up to 50 people, and its popular Century Room, often used for wedding receptions, corporate parties and large family reunions.

The event packages are all-inclusive, with an easily tailored food menu including heavy hors d’oeuvres, buffet, family-style or plated dinners, and a full bar with cocktails, wine and local craft beers. There’s ample parking with on-street, surface lot and nearby public garages.

Rates vary depending on season and event type; contact for details.

RABBIT HOLE AT SUNNY POINT CAFÉ 

9 State St, West Asheville

Rabbit Hole is a charming and cheerful space, accommodating 50 for standing events and 35 for sit-down gatherings, and is set among a garden oasis in West Asheville.

It’s the newest venture of the team behind the ever-popular Sunny Point Café. The space is a lovely, high-ceiling, covered deck with open sides overlooking the café’s garden, (an absolute gem in warm-weather months), and it can be fully enclosed and warmed with heaters during cooler months. The menu includes a swoon-worthy assortment of breakfast and brunch delights, both savory and sweet, as well as lunch and dinner options.

Rates vary depending on the day; Friday-Sunday events are $150 per hour with a minimum of three hours.

THE SOCIAL ROOM AT CLAYWOOD 

317 7th Ave East, Downtown Hendersonville

This restaurant focusing on whiskey and wine in downtown Hendersonville offers a beautiful space for 50 people—ideal for corporate meetings and special events with a vibe often described as “industrial chic”—and its broad menu of artisan charcuterie boards presents ideal food options for casual noshing.

Check out the popular “Hunter Board,” which includes fresh duck breast, two types of sausages (lamb merguez and wild boar), along with select cheeses and savory muffins. An impressive whiskey menu features 120 hand-selected bottles, and its wine offerings include mostly Old World wines. Live music is allowed and an outdoor space could be available in 2024, so make sure to inquire about options.

A $2,500 food and beverage minimum is required.